Stockport County 1 Dover Athletic 0 ( Vanarama National League) Saturday 5 February 2022

  

 

 

 

County kept their unbeaten run going along with their position at the top of the National League pile today with a hard won but thoroughly well deserved, 1-0 win at Edgeley Park against bottom club Dover Athletic.

Before the game I had heard a variety of outlandish predictions of what County were going to do to Andy Hessenthaler`s side….6-0…7-0 even 11-0, but seasoned County fans knew full well that 1-0 would be quite enough thank you, and it was, the goal coming via Paddy Madden with just 5 minutes to go!

 Madden- the man for the moment !

 

 

 

 

 

County had dominated the game even before the visitors were reduced in numbers on 38 minutes when a gross tackle on Southam- Hales by Judd saw him negotiating an early bath courtesy of a red card from Paul Marsden the Referee.

That said, pinch me at half time and I would have said County were missing Sarcevic`s contribution with little to show for much possession.

One thing we have learned of late though is that first half doldrums are seldom if ever followed by a second half of similar ilk by DC`s blues, and it was so again today as County set about trying to dismantle Dover`s stubborn rear guard after the break. They did it methodically and with Johnson and Palmer in prime form at the back the moves started to flow with growing authority from the blues - we just wondered whether they would run out of time.

 

 Johnno- growing in stature minute by minute !

 

 

 

 

They did not, and perhaps the most joyful celebration for a while followed Madden`s excellent winner with just 5 minutes left to play, and oh how County supporters deserved that moment after so many seasons of assorted agonies!

 

…………………………………..

 

There was just one change at 3 o`clock namely Crankshaw for Sarcevic , with new man Myles Hippolyte on the bench.

 

 Crankshaw - a deserved start !

 

 

 

 

The sight of Paul Marsden reffing the game added an additional shiver to those that would recur game long via the awful weather.

County opened the game on the front foot with Southam- Hales very much to the fore down the right- probing for an opening from the off.

 

 Southam -Hales - all action as usual !

 

 

 

Crankshaw looked intent on making a good impression too, and his pass , brought Southam- Hales in the action , his final ball sending Quigley through only for the ball to fly wide of the visitors goal.

 Quiggers goes close !

 

 

 

 

 

Quigley went close again not long after- again watching as the ball drifted beyond keeper Adam Parkes` right hand post.

 

 Quigley on the ball ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

Some hefty tackles were coming from the men in red quite early on- Collar taking a clattering from Gyasi that saw Mr M issue an early yellow.

 Collar carted ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile Southam-Hales re-doubled his efforts to prise open the visitors back line- twice oh so nearly doing so, but not quite.

 Real supporters up from Dover ! ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madden had disappointment coming to him also, and Crankshaw- both looking to nick one but thwarted by stubborn Dover defending that had their small but highly vocal support on their feet.

 

 Crankshaw lively early ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

With Hogan/ Palmer / Johnson shutting the shop up at the back, County`s midfield were free to push on looking for that opening.

 `Yer Wot?`....( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

Collar, Crankshaw and Quigley all took turns trying to profit  from excellent work from Southam-Hales, Croasdale and Rydel without the success they craved.

 Quigley menacing as per !

 

 

 

One neat through ball from Croasdale sent Southam-Hales flying at speed to the by-line – a chance maybe, but a foul by Hanson on Collar made this element unravel. Yes, we won a free kick, and it was a decent one from Rydel, but this was pushed behind for a corner by Parkes, and despite two corners in quick succession, and an aberration on Parkes` part that almost gifted County what they wanted, via a poorly directed clearance, Dover were able to keep it at 0-0.

 

 Southam - Hales passes from by-line.

 

 

 

Back came County straight away only for Southam-Hales to attract a beast of a tackle from Judd. It was not a great surprise therefore when he was shown a red card by the Referee.

Andy Hessenthaler sides have a tendency to opt for a robust approach, but surely unallied to any discipline it becomes self-defeating- we will see I suppose!

 

 Great balance from Rydel, great shot from Andrew Machin !

 

 

 

 

In the 7 minutes or so left of the half County tried to capitalise on their numerical superiority, but as far as good fortune was concerned Dover were majoring in the element- Madden not so….stretching vainly to apply a finish to the umpteenth delivery from Southam-Hales smack in front- and out of luck again just 2 minutes later.

 

 Madden- unlucky with header...

 

 and Andrew Machin sees the stretchy bit !

 

 

 

A blast of Mr M`s whistle told us eventually that this most frustrating of half`s was over, what would the second 45 bring us?

……………………………

 

DC made a personnel change for the re-start bringing Newby on for Hogan, and he was in the mix from the off along with the excellent Rydel whose early cross had County supporters salivating – so nearly snatching something from nothing!

 Newby links with Croasdale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next 7 or 8 minutes were victim of my notes dissolving into mush, or that part that related to those minutes- I remember County pinning Dover into their last third with a neat array of methodical passing, mostly emanating from Johnson, through Rydel or Newby who was showing everyone just what was in his kit bag!

 Rydel consistently ex`lent !

 

 

 

 

 

The notes get less blurry on 54 minutes when Madden saw his goal bound effort brilliantly saved by Parkes. That was a stunning save!

 Parkes brilliance denies Madden !

 

 

 

 

 

On it went…County building…building…keeping things cool- we just wanted one of what was becoming a plethora of efforts from the blues to go in, but no….Southam- Hales` shot on 55 minutes thudded into the hoardings inches wide.

 

 Oooo...errrr...close again !

 

 

 

 

We kept on wanting…..but despite another barnstorming run by Southam-Hales, that won us a corner, this was negated as Parkes again rained on the blues parade by gathering the ball to him in a tight situation in the box.

 

 Parade rained on !

 

 Andrew Machin sees the rain too !

 

 

Quigley went close to getting to a neat ball from Johnson on the hour, but despite all County`s dominance and patient build up, it remained 0-0.

 

 Close from Quiggers. ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

It went on- Parkes excelling- saving well to thwart a decent move by Newby and Collar on 68 minutes.

Boy was this frustrating- a feeling amplified by Dover`s, perhaps understandable tendency now to waste time- Rydel`s frustration doubled as a neat run and cross by him won a corner, that Dover were able to clear up the park.

 

 Rydel again !

 

 

 

 

There was nothing else coming from the visitors other than the clearances- Hinchliffe was, and remained largely a  spectator which may just have irked him a tad on such a foul evening!

 CJ on for Quiggers ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

 

 

 

CJ came on for Quigley with 20 minutes left, but the following minutes saw Newby and Cranshaw to the fore and Palmer joining the fray with a shot that cleared the bar.

 

 Palmer not far away !

 

 

 

 

County pressed and pressed still whilst in response Dover watched the clock!

 Close yet again !

 

 

 

 

 

No matter, back came County through Crankshaw , but again Palmer was unlucky as another leggy drive from him cleared the bar!

The 78^th minute saw Myles Hippolyte on for Croasdale, and he looked instantly at home.

 

 Myles looks Ok ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

The action did not let up as Parkes did great work to push Rydel`s latest free kick around the post! Corner then…and Cranks took it, and in the mounting storm erupting inside the box Collar slipped it on to Madden who got the goal County desired doing the deed with studied cool from close in!

 Deep joy- Madden makes it 1-0

 

 The goal as seen by Andrew Machin.

 

 

 

 

Cue great celebrations- and no pitch invasion which was great to see- a testimony to the good sense of most County supporters allied to proactive stewarding in anticipation of such situations.

So, County had their lead, the County supporters had their celebration, and both had probably 8 or 9 minutes to wait for that final whistle!

Hippolyte was not wresting on any laurels- his run on 88 minutes seeing his shot go out for a corner off a defender- arm thought Myles…..not so Mr M, and the corner was cleared.

 Parkes makes another save ( Andrew Machin )

 

 

 

Into added time, having wasted much of the minutes available to them before, Dover suddenly found some urgency. They knicked a late/ late free kick to boot…then a corner , but any angst Hinchliffe might have allowed himself to entertain was then dissipated via the throw that followed.

Soon enough it was game over- County had kept their impressive unbeaten run going- worked hard to get there and thoroughly deserved it-well done!

See you back at EP on Tuesday for Chesterfield!

 

Stockport County line up-

Hinchliffe, Hogan ( Newby 45), Palmer, Johnson, Southam-Hales,Croasdale ( Hippolyte 78), Collar, Rydel, Madden, Quigley ( C Jennings 70), Crankshaw.

Subs not used : Minihan, Kitching.

 

Dover Athletic line up:-

Parkes, Goodman, Ransom, Woods, Arthur, Collinge, Hanson, Pavey, Judd, Krasniqi, Gyasi.

Subs:- Moses, Da Costa, Twumasi, Wilkinson, Andre.

 

Attendance : 7269 ( 59)

 

Hedgegrower

 

Additional Gallery:-

First off hedgegrower`s photo of the SCAN Presentation to the family of Roly Codling who played for County from 1903 to 1905…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then some from Andrew Machin :_